Monday, April 30, 2007

If you didn't have pets.......

Inge Irby of Second Chance Happy Tails sent this to me and I thought you'd all enjoy it--and identify with it as I did!

If I didn't have animals . . . .

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.

My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.

All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair.

When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel.

When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there.

I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.

I would not have strange presents under my Christmas tree -- dog bones, stuffed animals, toys, treats nor would I have to explain to people why I wrap them.

I would have the money ....and no guilt to go on a real vacation.

I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grandkids thru college

The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE.

My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.

My house would not look like a day care center, toys everywhere.

My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.

I would no longer have to Spell the words B-A-L-L-, F-R-I-S-B-E- E, W-A-L-K, or T-R-E-A-T.

I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.

I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog/cat ties them down too much.

I'd look forward to spring and the melting of snow instead of dreading mud season.

I would not have to answer the question "Why do you have so many dogs/animals? " from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they will ever get.

How empty my life would be.

Picture above is Scooter, left, when he lived with his first Mommy Laura and her dog Freeway. Remember, he was supposed to be with me only temporarily! Ha!

21 Comments:

What a wonderful ... er... piece of writing. I'm sending it to a couple of friends. I know they will love it as much as I did! Thanks so much to Inge and, you, Sandy for sharing it. Also the story from yesterday. I cried too, but I cry at TV commercials. I'm pretty much just a crybaby.

With each line I read, I would laugh harder and harder! How true it is for us animal lovers!

I think this is the perfect time to share something that only an animal lover can relate too. Over the weekend the Saint and I were horse sitting for our next door neighbors. Do y'all know how much a horse can poop? Well 3 horses’ can poop 170 times in just a few days! Funny thing is, I actually counted each pile we scooped! I think my neighbor is getting the good end of the deal with us trading off on animal poop scoops. She will be scooping for our two girls while we are in TN for 3-days in May! Two cats cant poop that much! Next time any of you are complaining about scooping your cats box or your yard for land minds from the dogs, be glad you don’t have horses!

OH that is so true. I laughed as I read it and had to forwad to some people in my office who have pets. We have been debating about tearing up the back yard because of all the weeds. There are more weeds than grass right now and I don't want to use any weed killer that could harm the dogs. My first thought was... "NO There will be too much mud until we get new sod in." How funny how we change our lives and daily routine for the ones we love so much.

Skeeter, We used to have horses, so I know what you are talking about. That is one of many reasons we don't anymore. All though I would rather clean up after a horse than the stinky litter box. At least you get to be outside!

I loved the animal lover writing. It really does ring true? People at my office think I am crazy because of the 4 dogs and 2 cats, but I truly could not imagine it any other way! They laugh at me when I talk about them because it sounds so much like having children. I try to explain they are my kids, but only others like me (you guys) seem to get it!

Please don't let my comment put a damper on the blog. I just wanted everyone to keep us in your prayers. My boxer Harley passed away last night and we are devastated. My hubby will not be home from deployment until later this week so this one is all on me. I am afraid I am not much of a rock for my daughters to lean on. They are doing more of the comforting of me than vise versa. I was up all night, and its so empty seeing the sun come up and not having her greet me. I keep telling myself how blessed I was that she was mine for 11 years, wiggly rear and all, but its not making me feel like smiling. Again, please don't let this be a damper to the blog. I just know that ya'll know how I'm feeling today. Prayers please!

A pet's loss is just as deep as any other family member. My prayers and thoughts are with you as you grieve the passing of your buddy. May ib some little comfort to know that Harley has joined all of our lost babies and is free and happy now, waiting for the time when we will all reunite.

Shannon, I am so saddened by the loss of Harley. She is now with my Dixie and with Alice's Trouble and Sandy's Penny, and all the rest of our furry family members that have crossed the rainbow bridge.

Just remember, like my story I posted yesterday said, she is now romping and playing in heaven as if she were a young, healthy, carefree pup again. No more sickness or pain. Just remember that when you miss her the most.

We send you bunches of love and comforting hugs!

Adrienne, what happened to Pam's husband? Did I miss something?? I got an email from her yesterday about the story I posted, but nothing else. Clue me in......

Shannon O’malley, I am so sorry your Harley has left you! Sniff, sniff… Just remember, you gave Harley 11 wonderful years to be a happy doggie. Harley in return left you with many wonderful memories for many years to come. We learn a lot from our animals and the hardest part we must learn is how to let them go over the rainbow and run in the fields of clover with the others... I know your heart aches for Harley but know that your Pet Friends here share in your pain…. My thoughts and prayers are with you today!

Dragon,I just love your Top 10 List. Do you have a side job writing for David Letterman? I think that number 3 should have been in the number 1 spot though!

Shannon, I'm so sorry about Harley, especially since I also know the story of your Cody. Harley lived a long time for a Boxer. I often wonder why some breeds have shorter lifespans, then realize that maybe since they are so wonderful, one gets to have more of them in their life! We'll always miss our pets that have gone to the other side, but as you know, they live in our hearts and memories until we see them again. Ask Harley for a sign, and I bet you'll feel his presence just like I felt Yogi's after he was gone.

Send a picture if you want and I'll post it, along with any special memories you'd like to share.

I too was wondering where Pam was. I often don't get to check back on threads as much as I'd like, so please fill us in!

I sent her an email and asked her if everything was okay and that we were thinking about her. You're right, I read through the blogs and she hasn't posted since last Wednesday!!! That is an eternity for Pam!!!

Thanks everyone, it has been a long day. I don't know what I would have done without my wonderful neighbors. One carried Harley into my garage like a baby after she died. Another helped dig the grave, and another carried her from my garage to the gravesite and helped us with the final "details" of her burial. I also had several other neighbors who offered to help out. I think tho my neighbors might not love animals on the same level as my family does, they respect our feelings.

Sandy, I had not thought of asking Harley for a sign. I have cried all night and day everytime I think of the fact that I was not with her. SHe had been having these heart episodes and I had taken her to the vet on Friday. My vet had warned me that tho she appeared fine and wiggly, she could basically drop and be gone in minutes. I was at the ballpark last night for my middle daughters ballgame when my oldest daughter called me crying that she had let Harley out to go potty and she had collapsed. This was the 2nd time in less than a week. Another parent offered to bring my kids home and I jumped in the car. I had no sooner cranked the car than my daughter called back still crying and said I should hurry. I only live about 7 minutes from the ballpark and I drove like mad. But by the time I got home she was gone. I will regret forever that I didn't give her soft ears a special rub before I left for the ballpark or her wiggly tail a brisk scrub like she loved. I am so sorry I wasn't there to comfort her as she left this world. I am thankful my neighbors were with my daughter and Harley, but I am still very sad that it was them, and not me.I am her mommy and I was supposed to see her thru to the end. Sorry, I am still very upset and emotional-partly because I am so tired. I do thank everyone for their kind words tho. I know it will be ok and I am truly grateful of the time I had with this special baby. But I am going to pray for a sign Sandy. That would ease my guilt of not being with her.

I am also wondering about Pam? I hope everything is ok-like someone else said-long time for her to be gone.

Shannon, you cannot be everywhere at the same time! Your daughter needed you to be at her game. Your Harley was home with your other daughter and God was ready to take Harley. You say you drove like mad, well if Harley had gone down and you needed to get to the Vet would you have again driven like mad? Probably, thus putting you and others in grave danger. So it was probably best you were not there. I know you wanted to be the last to touch your baby’s ear but please rest easy that your Harley knew the love of mommy! Do not feel guilt or shame as you cannot be Super hero to everyone you love. Remember my motto…. Everything happens for a reason. Just look for the sign….

Shannon, I know how you feel. When Penny died, I felt the same guilt. I had come home from work, and she didn't want to come in to eat. It was hot, and she was lying under a favorite bush. I didn't go out and pet her or anything, just called her to come in, and when she didn't, I went to feed the other dogs. Later when I looked and I could find her or hear her (she was a HUGE snorer) I knew something was wrong, as I knew she couldn't get out of the fence. She had crawled under the porch and that's where we found her.

I felt even worse guilt with Yogi, thining of him getting hit by car and maybe lying there hurt until he died. But his life came and went with mine for a purpose. I think pets are often more understanding than we are, don't you?

But you know Harley didn't think anything of not getting that extra pet. He knew you were always there! You know in your heart that he wouldn't even think of such a thing! But I do know the feeling of wanting to have done that, more for yourself. And as far as being with him when he died--I think dogs want to be alone. That's why they go off sometimes. Why did Penny crawl under the porch through a hole in the lattice, where she never went before? Maybe they do that as to not upset us. Maybe Harley knew and wanted to spare you being there. Their spirits are so entertwined with us, that I believe those things happen.

As for a sign. You might get it soon, or in a week or a month or longer. But it will probably be when you aren't looking and when you don't expect it, just like I had mine with the cat cookie, and it was at just the right time when I needed it.

My thoughts are with you in your time of grief, but just remember how lucky he was to have a fine life with a great family. He knows it!

Shanno/omalley,I am so so very sorry about your precious Harley going to heaven! I know your poor hears are so grieved you can hardly stand it but he is with all of our sweet pets taht have gone on too. they are all free of pain and suffering and are havng a wonderful time together now. We are all grieving along with you here and supoort you and will help you in any way we can. You gave Harley a wonderful and love filled life so don't think about what you should or could have done. I know I'm a good one to talk as I still beat myself up for the same thing but that is just how we all feel about doing things differently. Hang in there we are all praying for your family's peace and comfort!I just wrote on the last blogg entered about what is going on with us so everyone now knows what's up. I am back but will be absent again for part of next week as you know by now.

Pam, take care of Fly Boy- I know you will. I will be praying for a speedy recovery. I had no idea ya'll were going thru this. If you need anything, I am here in Clarksville. If you're babies need anything while you are at Vandy, don't hesitate to call me. Sandy has my email and phone info if you need me to do anything. I know what you mean about the flying. My hubby would be the same way. What is life without flying?

Dragon, meant to tell you that your whole list was hysterical, but I especially liked #1. I bet we could all tell some funny stories about that one.

o'malley, thank you so much! It means so much to have good friends to help when you need them. My friend Charlene ( who is a Godsend ) is coming to stay with the girls and grand kittys who we are going to get today. My daughter and son-in-law had a surprise trip to Disney World planned for the kids before this all came up so they are leaving tomorrow and not getting back till the evening of Fly Boy's surgery so we are baby sitting Callie and Gracie. I may need to take you up on your offer sometime down the road though so again thank you so much! I'm going to have Sandy send you my e-mail and phone number too.

Pet People
Sandy Britt, an animal welfare advocate and volunteer with Clarksville rescue organizations, takes care of three dogs: Zoe, Scooter and Peanut; two cats: Catfish and Tarzan; and one husband, Glen, and according to him she takes care of them in that order.